Part I Business Analysis of Apple Inc.
Executive Summary
Apple Incorporated is a successful enterprise that develops, markets, and manufactures many electronic devices. Personal computers, media, mobile devices and portable music players are all products known across the world within the apple culture as the Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPod. These names are part of many households, businesses and educational divisions in various countries. The decision to invest in such a company goes far beyond the popularity of a product. One must assess and analyze a company’s internal structure, reputation, quality, financial standings, as well as risks associated with the company. The first phase in the research needed to make this decision is to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats known as the SWOT analysis and how these relate to Apple Inc.’s current standings and project where the company may go in the future. With this analysis I will be able to identify and evaluate internal and external accomplishments as well as the company’s stakeholders to evaluate if their needs are being met. This information will support the final decision if it is astute to invest in Apple Inc. at this juncture.
Part I: Business Analysis of Apple Incorporated Apple Inc. formally known as Apple Computer, Inc. was created in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. The company started with the initial vision of selling personal computer kits. By 2007 Apple Computer Inc. changed the name to Apple Inc. due to the vision becoming broader and encompassing various consumer electronics. Apple Inc.’s innovative and revolutionary character took the technical world by storm and developed such products as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Apple opened worldwide retail stores now in 14 different countries for customers to experience the products hands on as well as offering specialists and technical assistance. According to 2012 Financial Times 500, Apple is the “world’s most valuable company” with a
Apple Incorporated is a successful enterprise that develops, markets, and manufactures many electronic devices. Personal computers, media, mobile devices and portable music players are all products known across the world within the apple culture as the Mac, iPad, iPhone, and iPod. These names are part of many households, businesses and educational divisions in various countries. The decision to invest in such a company goes far beyond the popularity of a product. One must assess and analyze a company’s internal structure, reputation, quality, financial standings, as well as risks associated with the company. The first phase in the research needed to make this decision is to explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats known as the SWOT analysis and how these relate to Apple Inc.’s current standings and project where the company may go in the future. With this analysis I will be able to identify and evaluate internal and external accomplishments as well as the company’s stakeholders to evaluate if their needs are being met. This information will support the final decision if it is astute to invest in Apple Inc. at this juncture.
Part I: Business Analysis of Apple Incorporated Apple Inc. formally known as Apple Computer, Inc. was created in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne. The company started with the initial vision of selling personal computer kits. By 2007 Apple Computer Inc. changed the name to Apple Inc. due to the vision becoming broader and encompassing various consumer electronics. Apple Inc.’s innovative and revolutionary character took the technical world by storm and developed such products as the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. Apple opened worldwide retail stores now in 14 different countries for customers to experience the products hands on as well as offering specialists and technical assistance. According to 2012 Financial Times 500, Apple is the “world’s most valuable company” with a
References: Dullforce, A.B. (2012). Financial Times. Retrieved from http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e9d0412e-ca82-11e1-89f8- 00144feabdc0.html#axzz286bZF6gW Apple. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/about/ LASHINSKY, A. (2012). HOW TIM COOK IS CHANGING APPLE. Fortune, 165(8), 110-118. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=15&hid=5&sid=cad11fa9-7315- 4a62-9e00-bc8315dd35fd%40sessionmgr104&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d Morrissey, B. (2010, January). Apple Dominates Social Brand Ranking. AdWeek, 51(1). Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?sid=726bbe92-d12f-4c32-9c96- abd166d1d071%40sessionmgr115&vid=3&hid=103&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU %3d Apple, Inc. Company Profile. (2012, May). Retrieved from https://ehis.ebscohost.com/eds/detail?vid=10&hid=2&sid=7f397637-7db5-46c1-a0d2- 11a9615fdbf2%40sessionmgr113&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdmU%3d